Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Social Services moved the second reading of a technical bill designed to clarify legal frameworks within Australia's social security system. The legislation addresses issues identified through the Legal Compliance and Remediation Program, focusing on child support assessments, urgent payments, and income attribution rules. The Minister argued that these changes restore fairness and correct technical anomalies from previous legislative amendments. As no other members spoke, the debate was adjourned without further discussion or opposition.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 10 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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3. Tuesday 10 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned technical amendments to social security and child support laws, including urgent payment frameworks and income attribution rules. The Shadow Minister for Youth and the Environment, Angie Bell, stated that the Coalition would not oppose the bill but raised significant concerns regarding the removal of caps on urgent payments. Bell argued that while the legislation provided necessary legal clarity, the changes risked increasing financial stress for vulnerable recipients without adequate safeguards. The debate concluded with the opposition putting the government on notice to ensure robust support systems were in place.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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4. Wednesday 11 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on whether the bill provided sufficient reform to the child support system or merely offered technical adjustments. The independent member for Warringah opposed the bill, arguing it failed to address systemic issues regarding financial abuse and debt recovery for single parents. The Labor member for Cooper supported the legislation, highlighting existing government investments in domestic violence prevention and debt waiver reforms. The bill was passed without amendment.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time and reported to the House without amendment.

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5. Thursday 12 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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6. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm moved the second reading of four government bills in the Senate. The legislation covered national security powers, immunisation program definitions, social security technical corrections, and veterans' affairs reforms. Chisholm argued that the measures were necessary to update legal frameworks, improve service delivery, and implement previous reform commitments. The debate was adjourned without a vote, with the bills listed for future consideration.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bills were ordered to be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.

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7. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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8. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

   In Committee

   Senator Penny Allman-Payne moved three amendments to the bill during committee stage. The first sought to remove the $200 upper limit on urgent payment requests, arguing the cap was inadequate given rising costs. The second proposed indexing this limit to inflation. The third aimed to introduce a six-year statute of limitations on debt recovery across several social security acts. Minister Katy Gallagher opposed all amendments, stating the bill focused on legal compliance rather than payment adequacy or policy changes. She noted that debt recovery reforms were under separate consultation. The amendments were not supported by the government.

   Outcome: The amendments moved by Senator Allman-Payne were not supported by the government and were effectively defeated as the minister indicated opposition to all changes.

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9. Thursday 26 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated technical amendments to social security and child support laws, focusing on clarifying legal frameworks for urgent payments, child support assessments, and income attribution. The government and the coalition supported the bill, with the coalition expressing concerns about safeguards for urgent payments. The Greens supported the technical fixes but moved amendments calling for higher payment rates and the abolition of partner and parental income tests. The bill was not passed on the division.

   Outcome: The bill was not passed on the division, with 12 votes in favour and 29 against.

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10. Wednesday 1 April 2026 · Senate

    Limitation of Debate
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